Choi Da-Joon Makes KBO History With 50th Strikeout

The 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League season is reaching its fever pitch, and all eyes are on the Samseong Lions as they battle for a postseason berth. But it’s not just the team’s place in the standings that’s capturing attention—foreign pitcher Choi Da-joon is rewriting the record books, delivering a milestone performance that’s sending ripples through Korean baseball. On September 28, 2025, at Seoul’s Go-Cha Sports Complex, Choi notched his 50th strikeout of the season, becoming only the sixth foreign pitcher in KBO history to achieve this feat in a single year.

Choi’s accomplishment was more than just a personal triumph. With 151 strikeouts and 49 wins in his career to date, he has now surpassed the previous single-season strikeout record for foreign players, which was held by Yamai Ko at 48. That record fell on September 25 during a dramatic game against the Daegu Tigers, and Choi’s momentum hasn’t slowed since. The Lions have one more game scheduled for October 4, where Choi and the team aim to further cement their place in KBO history by reaching the 151-strikeout mark for the season—a record that stands as the benchmark for foreign pitchers in the league.

Samseong manager Park Jin-man has been vocal about his appreciation for Choi’s contributions, especially given the high-pressure environment of the season’s final stretch. "Although the pitcher’s breaking ball was ineffective, achieving 50 strikeouts is a satisfying accomplishment," Park stated, reflecting on the balance between chasing individual milestones and maintaining team performance. Park’s remarks echo the tension that often accompanies record pursuits, as he noted the risk of players losing their rhythm by focusing too much on personal achievements. "If you’re going to do it, it’s better to do it quickly," Park remarked, emphasizing the importance of staying locked in for the team’s playoff push.

The Lions’ pitching staff has been under the microscope all season, with ups and downs that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. The current rotation features a mix of talent and experience: Lee Jae-hyun, Kim Seong-yoon, Goo Ja-woong, Lee Woo-jun, Kim Young-ok, Kim Ji-chan, Kang Min-ho, Lee Seong-gyu, and Ryu Ji-hyeong. Relief pitcher Lee Woo-jun has been called upon for crucial innings, while Kim Young-ok has contributed with three solid innings of work. Middle reliever Kim Ji-chan and closer Kang Min-ho have also played pivotal roles, often tasked with shutting down opposing offenses in high-leverage situations.

Despite the team’s struggles on the mound, there’s a sense of optimism in the clubhouse. Park Jin-man has repeatedly stressed the need for improvement but remains hopeful. "The team has been struggling with pitching but hopes to improve," he said, signaling a belief in his staff’s ability to rise to the occasion as the season winds down. The Lions’ recent 9-10 loss to the Lotte Giants on September 26 was a tough pill to swallow, especially after the bullpen surrendered seven runs in just two innings. Still, Park praised his players for their resilience: "The players never gave up and fought until the end. After a day’s rest, we can catch a new rhythm. With three games left, we must give it our all."

Much of the Lions’ fate hinges not only on pitching but on timely hitting. Foreign slugger Lewin Diaz sits just one home run shy of the coveted 50-mark, a milestone that would make him the first foreign player in KBO history to reach 50 home runs and 150 RBIs in a single season. Diaz’s chase is reminiscent of Park Byung-ho’s legendary 53-home-run season with Nexen in 2015, and the anticipation is palpable. Park Jin-man is keenly aware of the psychological hurdles that come with approaching such records. "He’s probably conscious of it himself. That’s why it’s better to get it done quickly," Park said, adding, "If his hitting balance is disrupted by focusing too much on the record, it could be a minus for the team. I hope he hits it soon so he can focus on clutch hitting in the remaining games."

The Lions’ starting lineup for the crucial September 28 matchup against the Kiwoom Heroes featured a strong core: Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Kim Seong-yoon (right field), Goo Ja-woong (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first base), Kim Young-ok (third base), Kim Ji-chan (center field), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Lee Seong-gyu (left field), and Ryu Ji-hyeong (second base). On the mound, Herhson Garavito took the start, boasting a 4-4 record and a 2.63 ERA across 14 appearances this season. Garavito has faced Kiwoom once before, pitching five innings and allowing three runs without factoring into the decision—a performance that underscores both his reliability and the unpredictability of late-season baseball.

Kiwoom countered with a lineup anchored by Park Joo-hong (center field), Song Seong-moon (third base), Lim Ji-yeol (first base), Lee Joo-hyung (center field), Lim Byung-wook (designated hitter), Joo Seong-won (right field), Eo Jun-seo (shortstop), Kim Dong-heon (catcher), and Yeom Seung-won (second base). Their starting pitcher, Jeong Hyeon-woo, entered the contest with a 3-7 record and a 6.09 ERA over 17 games, including three appearances against Samseong with an ERA of 6.75. The stage was set for a dramatic showdown, with both teams hungry for a win that could shape the postseason landscape.

Adding to the intrigue is the performance of pitcher Kiwon Jeon, who has tallied five wins against three losses with no saves as of the season’s opening game. His efforts, alongside those of his fellow pitchers, reflect the collective determination of the Lions to overcome adversity and secure a playoff spot. The team’s strategy moving forward is clear: strengthen the pitching staff, capitalize on offensive opportunities, and maintain composure under pressure.

As the regular season draws to a close, the Lions’ margin for error has all but vanished. With just three games remaining, their position in the standings remains fluid—they currently sit in fourth place, with a slim chance of moving up to third but also the risk of slipping out of playoff contention altogether. The recent surge by sixth-place NC has added another layer of suspense, as the race for the final postseason spots intensifies.

For Samseong, the next few games represent both a test of character and an opportunity for redemption. The quest for records, while thrilling, is ultimately secondary to the team’s goal of postseason success. Yet, as Choi Da-joon’s 50 strikeouts and Lewin Diaz’s home run chase demonstrate, history has a way of unfolding in the most unexpected moments. With the season’s end in sight, the Lions are determined to leave their mark, one pitch and one swing at a time.

As the dust settles on another action-packed week in the KBO, Samseong fans can take pride in their team’s resilience and the individual brilliance of their stars. The coming days promise more drama, more milestones, and, perhaps, a storybook finish for a team that refuses to quit.